Electrostatic filtering for cleaning dielectric fluids

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for reducing or eliminating destructive electrical arcing between inner and outer electrodes includes an elongated inner electrode element; an elongated outer shell element spaced from and containing the inner electrode, whereby an electric field may be established between the elements; and porous media in the space between the elements to trap particles migrating in the direction of the field. A dielectric coating in the space between the electrodes may be applicable to the element, elements and/or media, for chemical and electrical modification of the surfaces so coated.

United States Patent 11 1 Griswold June 24, 1975 [5 ELECTROSTATIC FILTERING FOR 3,190,827 6/[965 Ko k et al. 204 302 CLEAN'NG ELECTRIC FLUIDS i'iii'fiii Z5132? 32??2131 $311335 errn n [76] Inventor: Edward A. Grisw ld, Pasad na, 3.415.735 [2/1968 Brown et al. 204/299 Calif. 3,484,362 12/[969 Van Vroonhoven 204/302 [22] Filed Feb 26 1973 3,544,44l l2/l970 Griswold 204/l86 [21] Appl. No.: 335,554 Primary E.raminerT. M. Tufariello Relmed U Application Data Attorney, Agent, or FirmWilliam W. Haefliger [60] Division of Ser. No. 93363, Nov. 27, 1970, which is a continuation-impart of Ser. No. 538,275, March [57] ABSTRACT 1966, Pat WhiCh is a division of Apparatus for reducing or eliminating destructive 19014571 AP"ll 1961 electrical arcing between inner and outer electrodes includes an elongated inner electrode element; an

elongated outer shell element spaced from and con- [52] 204/186; 204/188; 204/302 taining the inner electrode, whereby an electric field [5 1] "it. Cl. y be established between the elements; and porous [58] Field of Search 204/186-191, media in the space between the elements to trap Pam 204/302 3O8 cles migrating in the direction of the field. A dielectric coating in the space between the electrodes may be [56] References and applicable to the element, elements and/or media, for UNlTED STATES PATENTS chemical and electrical modification of the surfaces so 2,] l6.509 5/1938 Cottrell 204/300 coated. 2.364.ll8 l2/l944 Wolfe 1 r 1 1 204/188 2,573,967 11/1951 Hamlin 204/186 17 Clam, 8 Dm'mg 1' 0. 4 43 wig 2 E if 2 41a 0 O 0 7a 2 45 00 J0 2/ I ,n 5 no E 47 501/5 32::

00 00000000000000"; 0 o o o a 4' l 0 m r o 0 O 1 E 000 j PATENTEDJUN24 ms 3, 8 91. 528

SHEET 1 OOOOOOOOOOOODOO JUN24I975 35891-1728 PATENTEU SHE 3 14118. 9&2

1 ELECTROSTATIC FILTERING FOR CLEANING DIELECTRIC FLUIDS This application is a division of Ser. No. 93,363, filed Nov. 27, 1970; which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 538,275, filed Mar. 29, 1966 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,544,44l; which is a division of Ser. NO. 190,457, filed April 26, 1962 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,885. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to stabilizing electric fields; and more especially to entrapment of particles in porous media located in the space between an outer shell electrode and an inner electrode element between which the field extends.

The prevention of dielectric breakdown due to destructive electrical arcing between an inner electrode and an outer shell electrode subjected to a very high voltage differential is a continuing problem. Such environments are found as for example in electrical power transmission cable. One cause for such arcing is found in the migration of very fine charged particles in the space between the electrodes, to establish low resistance paths along which electrical arcing occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a major object of the invention to provide a solution to the above problem or problems through the provision of method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating destructive electrical arcing between inner and outer electrodes, as by entrapping particles migrating in an electric field extending between such electrodes.

Basically, the invention is embodied in the combination that comprises: an elongated inner electrode element; an elongated outer shell element spaced from and containing the inner electrode, whereby an electric field may be established between the elements; and porous media in the space between the elements to trap particles migrating in the direction of the field. As will appear, a coating may be applied at the inner side of the outer shell electrode, or the outer side of the inner electrode or conductor, or it may be applied on the porous media; and the coating, which may be a dielectric may be applied to any combination of these, and may extend within the space between the electrodes, for chemical, physical and electrical modifications of the surfaces so coated.

Further, there may be particle entraining fluid in the space between the inner and outer electrodes, and the fluid may be flowing or non-flowing; and a magnetic field may extend in that space. Such fluid may for example consist of a hydro-carbon such as petroleum or derivative thereof such as a lubricant. Also, the electrodes may define an electrical power distribution cable to which such power (either AC or DC) is supplied. In addition, and as will appear, the porous media may consist of plastic foam defining particle entrapping voids.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description and to the annexed drawing, in which:

FIG. I is a combined partial elevation and longitudinal median section, with successive portions ofthe interior structure broken away, of a filter;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section through the filter on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary median section, as in FIG. 1, of a portion of the filter assembly;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective of a variational form of plate electrode; and

FIGS. 5-8 are side elevations taken in section showing different forms of particle entrapping apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, it will be seen that the illustrated liquid filter includes a tubular shell indicated generally at 10. This shell is usually circular in crosssection and conforms to the general design considerations of a pressure vessel since ordinarily the shell is subjected to fluids under pressures that may run as high as several hundred pounds per square inch. One end of the shell is provided with a removable head section 10a attached to the remainder of the shell by bolts 11 or any other suitable means. When head 10a is removed, access is had to the interior filter element which may be removed as a unit for cleaning, replacement or any necessary maintenance.

Shell 10 is provided with two spaced openings 14 and 15 which may be connected to liquid conduits in any suitable manner. The spaced openings 14 and 15 provide inlet and outlet openings for liquid passing through the filter to be cleaned. Since flow through the filter may be in either direction either one of these openings may be the liquid inlet and the other the liquid outlet.

Because there is often a tendency for a certain amount of sludge or foreign material to collect within the shell, especially when the liquid to be filtered enters through opening 15, it is preferable to provide the shell with a drain as indicated at 16 and an annular gutter 17 or similar means for conducting sediment to the drain opening. The drain is preferably located at the lowest point in the shell.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, the shell 10 is illustrated with its longi tudinal axis extending vertically and with the fluid inlet assumed to be at opening 14. Accordingly opening 15 is then the outlet. However this specific arrangement is not limitative upon the invention and it will be understood that the filter may be arranged with this longitudinal axis horizontally extending or inclined, as may be desired under circumstances at an installation. This is equally feasible since flow through the filter is created by a differential pressure between the inlet and outlet openings and is not dependent upon gravity, convection current, or the like,

The first filter element encountered by the liquid as it flows from inlet 14 to outlet 15 is a hollow cylindrical filter element 20 located centrally of and extending axially of shell 10. Filter element 20 is a mechanical or porous-element type of filter and may comprise a cylindrical body of a finely porous material such as sintered metal, ceramic, or any other suitable material providing openings of suitably small size. Cylindrical filter element 20 is open at the lower end to receive fluid entering the shell through inlet 14 and is closed at the upper end, thus forcing the liquid to flow radially outward of the filter element through the cylindrical walls thereof. In the event filter element 20 is mechanically weak, it is supported externally by a perforated cylinder 21 which not only radially supports the filter element against the internal liquid pressure but also serves as a structural core member for supporting other filter elements, as will be described. Cylinder 21 is metal to be electrically conductive.

Cylindrical core 20 rests at its lower end on an annular seat in block 22 which is made of any suitable dielectric material in order to insulate the core from the shell. Block 22 is in turn supported centrally of the shell by resting upon the bottom wall thereof. The upper end of core 21 is closed either by an integrally formed end wall or by a separate metal plate 24 which rests upon the upper end of the cylindrical core and is imperforate. On top of plate 24 is insulator block 25 of a suitable solid dielectric material which bears against the inner face of head section a of the shell. In this way when the head section is bolted in place and tightened, cylindrical core and sleeve member 21 are held firmly between end blocks 22 and 25; and these members serve as a central supporting column for elements of the filter described later.

Coaxial with filter element 20 and performated cylinder 21, is the central electrode 27 which is supported at its lower end by collar 28 located within a central bore through the lower dielectric block 22 and provided with a supporting spider 29 to which the lower end of electrode 27 is fastened. The upper end of electrode 27 is positioned centrally with respect to cylinder 21 by spider 30 which is of dielectric material. Spider 30 preferably has a peripheral flange 300 which bears against the inside surface of filter element 20. Electrode 27 may take anyone of several known designs that promote the high intensity field at the electrode. A fine wire 27a wound in a spiral around a central supporting rod is illustrated as a typical electrode design. The radius of the spiral is such as to produce the proper electrical clearance between the discharge electrode wire 27a and the opposing electrode comprising sleeve 21 and/or core 20.

Electrode 27 and cylinder 21 are both metal and constitute a pair of opposing electrodes between which is maintained an ionizing or charging field. For this purpose electrode 27 is a discharge electrode and electrode 21 is a non-discharging electrode. lf filter 20 is made of sintered metal, it is also conductive and is a part of the non-discharging electrode assembly.

As is well known in the art of electrical precipitation of suspended particles, particularly from gaseous streams, a discharge electrode is one which has a configuration that provides points, corners, edges, or other surfaces of relatively small radius which concentrate the electrostatic field to form localized high-stress zones and so facilitate the production of corona discharge thereat in a gaseous fluid although corona discharge is not produced in a dielectric liquid. On the other hand a non-discharging electrode is one which has flat or extended areas free from portions having a relatively sharp radius and therefore produce a relatively uniform electrostatic field, or which otherwise suppress the tendency to produce corona discharge.

In order to establish high voltage electrostatic field between electrodes 21 and 27, there is provided any suitable type of electrical equipment indicated generally at 32. It may be external to the filter or may be mounted on the filter shell. Such equipment is well known in the art and need not be described in detail here since it constitutes no part of the present invention; but in general such equipment includes a suitable step-up transformer and rectifying means adapted to produce an output of relatively high potential. For processing liquids a voltage in the range of 10,000 to 14,000 volts is normally sufficient although it will be obvious that the exact voltage used may be varied by the designer to suit the liquid being treated, the interelectrode spacing, and other factors. One output terminal of the power source 32 is grounded as indicated at 33 while shell 10 is also grounded as indicated at 34. The other output terminal of power source 32 is connected by insulated high tension conductor 35 to a centrally located lead-in 36 which passes through dielectric block 25 and is connected through plug 37 and spring 370 to plate 24 which, being metal, is a conductor and is electrically connected to electrode 21 by contact therewith. It is also connected by contact to filter 20 to energize the latter if conductive. Electrode 21 is insulated from the shell by dielectric blocks 22 and 25 at the two ends of the central core. On the other hand discharge electrode 27 is grounded to the shell through metallic collar 28 and spider 29.

A second filter element inside the shell is located downstream from the first filter element and comprises a plurality of pairs of electrodes of the non-dischargin g type. These electrodes are provided by pairs of spaced plates 40 and 41 which surround the cylindrical core 21 and extend radially outwardly therefrom. The plates 40 have centrally located flanges 400 having an internal diameter such that they slide easily over but contact the exterior of core 21, as may be seen particularly in FIG, 3. Flanges 40a are perforated as indicated at 42, the perforations being large enough and numerous enough that some of them always align at least in part with the openings 21a in core cylinder 21 in order to allow liquid to flow radially outwardly through filter element 20 then through the surrounding core and the flanges 40a.

As may be seen particularly in FIG. 3, flanges 40a permit the disc electrodes 40 to be stacked on top of each other in contact with and supported by cylindrical core 21 through which electrodes 40 are energized. The flat surfaces of plates 40 are substantially parallel to each other and radial with respect to the filter axis.

Midway between each plates 40 is a plate or disc 41, plate 40 and plate 41 constituting a pair of oppositely charges electrodes, as will be further explained. Each plate 41 has a peripheral flange 41a which engages the inside face of metallic cylinder 45. Cylinder 45 is here shown as a fine mesh screen; but it will be realized that a perforated sheet metal wall may also be used at this point in place of the screen.

The peripheral flange of the lowermost plate electrode 41 rests upon plate 44 which is supported centrally upon dielectric block 22 and is supported at its periphery by ring 44a which is in turn supported by bottom plate 52. A fluid-tight seal is preferably effected by an O-ring 220 or other means between plate 44 and center block 22 in order to prevent liquid from bypassing the filters. Electrodes 41 above the lowermost one each have their flanges resting upon the plate electrode next below so that each plate electrode, except the top one, supports a plate above it by engagement at the periphery with the superimposed flange. Thus plates 41 are arranged in a stack supported on one another and confined laterally by the surrounding forami nous cylinder 45. Each plate 41 has a central opening 41b larger than the outside diameter of plate flanges 40a, in order to provide adequate electrical clearance between each flange and the surrounding plate 41 at this point. In the same way the diameter of plates 40 is less than the diameter of the surrounding flanges 41a by a distance sufficient to give adequate electrical clearance between these plates the flanges.

While it is of course possible to support plate electrodes 40 in any other suitable fashion, it is convenient to support them upon the cylindrical core 21 because the contact thus afforded between the plate flanges and the core, in addition to giving physical support to the plates, effects an electrical connection between the plate electrodes and the core itself. Thus plates 40 are maintained at a relatively elevated potential while plates 41 are grounded through other parts of the supporting structure since they are electrically connected to shell 10.

Between each pair of plates 40 and 41 is a body 43 of a porous or fluid pervious dielectric material. Various fibrous, granular or open cell materials may be used. Suitable for this purpose is a polyurethane foam of the open cell type. Each body 43 of porous dielectric material serves several purposes. it not only helps support the plate electrodes to maintain the proper spacing between them but also acts as a diffuser which slows down the rate of liquid flow between two parallel plate electrodes. This gives a longer time for the electrostatic field maintained between a pair of plates to exert an influence on the suspended particles and gives them an opportunity to migrate to one of the place electrodes. In addition, a third function of the porous dielectric material is to serve as a filter. A certain amount of filter action is a natural consequence of the passage of the liquid through the body of porous dielectric material; but for reasons that will be further apparent the mechanical filtering action is more or less incidental.

A third filter element is provided downstream from the second filter means provided by the parallel plate electrodes. This third filter element comprises a sheet 46 of a suitable porous material around the screen cylinder 45. This filter element 46 is likewise cylindrical in configuration and is in contact with the outer surface of cylinder 45. Outwardly of the filter element 46, there is preferably placed a wire mesh screen 47 in contact with the filter element 46. This cylindrical screen 47 is a relatively coarse screen, considering the size of the particles involved, and is designed to retain only particles of a diameter of 50 microns or larger. Thus it passes anything under about 50 micron size. This size of particle is chosen arbitrarily for illustrative purposes and it will be realized that the mesh size of the screen may be selected to pass larger or smaller particles.

Outside of the screen 47 is an outer cylinder 50 designed as a structural member to retain the inner elements in place and support them physically against the interior pressures against them developed by the liquid moving through the filter elements.

Outer cylinder 50 is connected to and carries top and bottom plates 51 and 52 respectively which have axially turned rims by which the plates are connected to the cylinder in any suitable manner. In this way all the filter elements are maintained together in the proper relative positions as a unitary assembly which can be inserted into shell or removed therefrom as a unit when the head section 10a is unbolted and removed.

As a means of obtaining axial pressure on the assembly of plates and filter elements to prevent relative movement, and also as a means of providing an electrical connection between the shell and certain of the filter elements, springs 55 and 56 are interposed between the top plate 51 of the assembly and the inside face of end section 10a of the shell. These springs provide a yielding force on the filter assembly pushing it against support ring 58 at the base. Ring 58 supports the filter assembly at a position adjacent lower insulator block 22.

Construction of a preferred embodiment of my filter having been described, the operation of it will now be described briefly. The stream of liquid from which suspended particles are to be removed is introduced into the shell 10 at inlet opening 14. The fluid stream enters directly the interior space of the cylindrical filter ele ment 20 in which space the fluid stream is subjected to the particle charging-action of the high intensity charging field maintained between wire electrode 27 and non-discharging cylindrical electrode 21. In this field, the suspended particles become electrically charged as they flow through the space within the cylinder and then outwardly through filter element 20.

The liquid stream flows outwardly from cylinder 21 through the openings 21a therein and the aligned openings 42 in the flanges of plates 40. The fluid stream can now flow in a radial direction at a changing velocity parallel to and between the surfaces of the electrode pairs 40 and 41. In this space the liquid stream is subject to the action of the non-discharging electrostatic field maintained between two successive plate-type electrodes. This electric field is substantially uniform because the electrodes are parallel and it causes the charged particles to migrate to one of the electrodes. The electrode on which they collect will be the one of opposite polarity to the electrode 27 which, in the arrangement illustrated is electrode system comprised of plates 40. For this purpose, electrode 27 may be either positive or negative as desired.

Any relatively coarse particles that pass through the first filter means and the second filter means will be retained by the filter action of the porous body 47, while the finer particles migrate under the influence of the electrostatic field through the open cells of the porous bodies 43 to the surface of one of the plate electrodes or onto the electrically charged structure of the porous media. The open cell structure of the porous dielectric 43 causes the liquid to flow slowly over a devious path thereby keeping the liquid subject to the electric field for a longer period of time that is otherwise possible.

In filtering hydrocarbon fuels and petroleum products in general, it has been found that the contaminates are generally of a gummy or sticky nature and as a consequence when they once are deposited upon one of the collecting electrodes 40 or 41 they tend to adhere to the surface of that electrode. However, should an agglomerated mass of such particles break loose or be eroded from the electrode for any reason and pass through the body of porous dielectric, such resuspended particles, being relatively large, are removed from the fluid stream by passing the stream through a downstream filter means consisting of the porous body 46 and the fine mesh screen 45. The openings in filter 46 are smaller than the pores in dielectric 43.

After passing through the third filter means, the liquid stream flows longitudinally of the annular area inside the shell and around cylinder 50 to be exhausted from the shell through outlet opening 15.

Flow from inside the filter assembly outwardly to the periphery is preferred, especially in the case of fluids having a relatively low density of particles to be removed and particularly when the particles are relatively fine. The action of the electrostatic field in removing the particles from suspension is then particularly marked because the particles are first charged in the central core and as the fluid stream moves away from the core the velocity of flow progressively and continually decreases as the fluid moves through a passage of progressively increasing cross-section radially outward toward the shell wall, allowing a longer exposure to the electric field than in a passage uniformly of only the initial cross-sectional area.

The fluid is preferably introduced into the uniform field between a pair of parallel electrodes at a sufficiently high velocity that flow is turbulent. The small area of each of openings 21a and 42 insures this high velocity at entrance. Turbulent flow brings many of the particles quickly into close proximity to one electrode. If the particles are charged already, they are quickly deposited on the electrode if it is of a polarity opposite to the particles.

On the other hand, if any particles are not previously charged they become charged, either by taking on an induced charge or by direct contact with the electrode. The particles, now charged, are then attracted to the electrically charged surfaces of opposite polarity, even though the fluid stream does not pass through the initial high intensity charging field.

The expanding cross-sectional area between two electrodes 41 and 43 reduces the fluid velocity to the point when flow is laminar and is preferably low enough not to erode any particles from the surface of the electrodes or from the porous structure. Typically, velocity at exit from the field is reduced to about one to two inches per second, more or less, the exact value depending upon viscosity of the liquid, particle concentration, and other physical factors; but a value of less than one inch per second is preferred. The low fluid velocity avoids re-entrainment of particles by erosion or by dissociation of agglomerates.

However, in the event that it is desired to filter a relatively dirty liquid, that is one in which the particle concentration is relatively high, it may be found advantageous to reverse the direction of flow. This is done by introducing the fluid stream through the opening which then becomes the inlet. Several abrupt changes in direction and velocity are imposed on the fluid stream to assist in deposition of suspended particles through the opening 15 which becomes the inlet. The flow is then from the outside of the filter assembly radially inward to the center in the reverse direction of that already described and the velocity of the fluid stream increases as it flows through the electrostatic field. The relatively large surface area around the periphery of filter elements 46 and 47 is thus used to advantage because the relatively high initial concentration of suspended material is then collected over a larger crosssectional area so that the useful life of the porous filter is extended. Under these circumstances. the third filter means, in direction of flow, becomes the filter element and it serves as a final barrier to any relatively large particles which are not removed from suspension or have been eroded off the electrodes by the time the liquid stream reaches this filter element.

With the reverse direction of flow last described, the central charging field established between electrodes 21 and 27 becomes of little effect, because the fluid is largely cleaned by the time it reaches this field. Under these circumstances, it may be found suitable to omit the discharge electrode 27. It is possible instead to es tablish a charging field between each pair of plate electrodes 40 and 41 by providing all such electrodes of one polarity with sharp points or edges to create surface configurations that concentrate the field locally into high stress zones. This can be done easily by piercing the plates 40 with a sharp tool to form ragged projections 40p at one or preferably both sides of the plate as shown in FIG. 4. The result is a surface resembling the familiar kitchen grater. This electrode construction establishes a charging field, or a plurality of localized charging fields between each pair of plate electrodes 40 and 41 while still subjecting the particles to the force of the field for a long enough time that the particles migrate to and are deposited on one of the electrodes.

Another reason that one or both of the plate electrodes are perforated is that perforation produces an hydraulic cross-section that is greater than the crosssection of the electric field, so that the hydraulic velocity is reduced without affecting the intensity of the field.

It has been found by experience when filtering hydrocarbons having a high resistivity that the suspended particles are often precharged electrically to a degree sufficient that they may be removed in an electrostatic field without the need of first being passed through a charging field. It is possible for particles to acquire an electric charge in many different ways since it is known that ionization occurs as a result of heat, friction, atomic irradiation and other causes. If the fluid being filtered has come in contact with charged elements of an electric system, the suspended particles may have acquired a charge either by direct contact or by induction. The high dielectric nature of the liquid carrier prevents these particles from losing their charges. Consequently there are situations in which the suspended particles carry a sufficient electric charge at the time of entry into the filter that no discharging field is required in order to electrically charge the particles. The presence of precharged particles is especially favorable to reverse flow through the filter, that is flow in the direction from the periphery inwardly to the core. Also, many of the particles are charged inductively by passing by the surfaces of a porous dielectric media.

Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the illustrated apparatus for filtering or entrapping particles, which may be electrically charged, and tending to migrate in an electric field, comprises an elongated inner electrode element, an elongated outer shell element spaced from and containing the inner electrode, whereby an electric field may be established between the elements, and porous media in the space between the elements to trap particles migrating in the direction of the field established between the elements.

In the FIG. 5 example, high voltage is applied, as via leads 98 and 100, to an elongated tubular inner electrode or conductor element 101 and an elongated tubular outer shell element or conductor 102. The elements may be metallic and concentric about axis 103, and an annular, or similar space 104 is formed between the elements. The high voltage source is indicated as either AC at 105, or DC at 106, with switches 107 and 108 merely illustrating the optional use of either AC or DC. The apparatus to which the high voltage is applied may be for example a cable to transmit electrical power, or it may be a filter or other apparatus, as in FIG. 8, to which fluid is supplied to flow in space 104a in the directions of arrows 105. A fluid flow source is indicated at 106 in FIG. 8, and the fluid may for example consist of a hydrocarbon containing particulate, or a hydrocarbon containing water and particulate to be separated from the hydrocarbon. Other fluids such as cryogenic liquids (liquid helium, hydrogen and nitrogen) may be used, to reduce electrical losses. Other typical liquids processed are fluorocarbons, silicones, and hydrocarbons. A typical gas processed is sulfur hexafluoride s)- Referring back to FIG. the porous media 107 in the space between the electrodes may be carried adjacent the inner side of the outer electrode 102, as also seen in FIG. 8, or it may be carried at l07b adjacent the outer side of the inner electrode [01b as in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the porous media may fill the space between the outer and inner electrodes, as seen at 107C in FIG. 7, the electrodes there bearing the numbers 101c in FIG. 7, the electrodes there bearing the numbers 101a and 102C. The porous media functions to trap particulate, in the fluid in the space 104, and tending to migrate (as by dielectrophoresis and electrophoresis) in the direction of the electric field indicated by vectors E extending between the electrodes 101 and 102 (or their equivalents in FIGS. 68) and established by the voltage application to those electrodes, as described. Thus, arcing between the electrodes due to particle migration or chaining a long electrical lines of force is substantially reduced or eliminated.

The media 107 may consist of reticulated plastic material, as for example polyurethane foam. Such material may be given a tacky coating to enhance its particle entrapping physical characteristics, or the tacky coating may be applied as particle entrapping media to the elements 101 or 102, or to then previously coated surfaces. Such coating may have a relatively high dielectric value and electrical resistance, an example being uncured glue insoluble in the fluid being cleaned.

The porous media may alternatively consist of porous ceramic material, or porous matrix material such as steel wool or glass wool. A suitable coating characterized by high dielectric and high electrical resistance qualities, may be added. Such porous material, if bydroscopic at its surface, may serve to strip water particles from hydrocarbon flow in space 104a, as in FIG. 8; one example is glass fiber. In that event, the coalesced water particles can be removed by entrapment or by draining after the flow is shut down. The porous media may alternatively consist of an etched portion or layer of the inner or outer electrodes. Trapped particulate may be periodically removed as by flushing, using a high velocity flow of flush fluid through space 104.

FIG. 6 also illustrates the existence of a magnetic field in the space 1041). Merely as illustrative, a means to establish such a field, indicated by the arrows H, may comprise a coil 110 extending about axis 103b and to which electrical current is supplied.

Finally, the referred to dielectric on the elements or media may include one or more of the following: the coating on the porous media as referred to; a dielectric coating or layer 112, 112a and ll2c'adjacent the electrode 101, 1010 and 1016 as in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8', and/or a dielectric coating or layer 113 or ll3b adjacent the electrode 102!) and 1026 as in FIGS. 6 and 7. Such coating may for example consist of a suitable high dielectric ceramic or plastic material, examples being common electrical insulator ceramic, polyethylene,

polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, and tetrafluoroethylene. The dielectric increases the electrical ohmic resistance in the radial direction of the E field, one typical resistance value of a suitable dielectric being about 5 10" ohms per centimeter. Other protective coatings may be used, for chemical compatibility with fluid, and for modifying electrical properties of the surfaces. Using suitable coatings, higher electrically conductive fluids may be used, since without such coatings, the process is limited to fluids having a volume resistivity of about I0 ohms/cm". Using such coatings, fluids having a volume resistivity of less than 1 megohm/cm have been satisfactorily used in the process. A protective outer lining appears at 300, 3000, 30% and 301k in the views 5-8.

I claim:

1. The method of removing electrically charged particles suspended in a stream of a dielectric fluid in a porous region laterally bounded by spaced and housed electrodes, that includes the steps of:

a. flowing the stream of fluid with particles suspended therein along a path within said porous region;

b. maintaining a high'intensity unidirectional electrostatic field across the fluid path between surfaces of the laterally spaced electrodes;

c. effecting a change in velocity of the fluid stream by controlling the net cross-sectional area of the porous region available to the fluid stream in said field wherein the suspended particles migrate toward a boundary of the region;

d. receiving the migrating particles on stationary structure defining the porous region; and

e. maintaining at least a substantial portion of said surfaces coated with material exposed to said fluid stream and having a high dielectric value and electrical resistance.

2. The method of removing particles suspended in a fluid stream that includes the steps of:

a. flowing the stream along a generally longitudinal path within an open laterally bounded zone totally bridged by said fluid stream,

b. maintaining a high-intensity unidirectional charging field between surfaces on electrodes receiving electrical potential and directed generally radially in said zone and extending to a porous outer lateral boundary thereof, thereby to effect particle charging and flow outward toward said outer boundary, and

c. receiving the charged particles at and within said porous boundary,

d. at least a portion of said surfaces being coated with material having a high dielectric value and electrical resistance, and

e maintaining a housing about said electrodes.

3. In the method of separating solid particles from a relatively electrically insulating fluid carrier in which they are suspended, and wherein there is employed a housing having an imgress port and an egress port and a porous member within the housing comprising a high dielectric material coated on a conductive member, the steps that include a. flowing the suspension into the housing via the ingress port for movement therein,

b. generating an electric field within the housing and electrostatically attracting the solid particles in the suspension to the coated porous member, and

c. removing the carrier fluid from the housing via the egress port.

4. The method of claim 3 including the step of positioning in the housing said porous member in the form of a plurality of spaced apart conductive screens.

5. The method of claim 3 including the step of positioning in the housing said porous member in the form of porous dielectric materials sandwiched between spaced apart conductive members coated with dielectric material.

6. The method of claim 5 including the step of providing in the housing a plurality of cells comprising dielectric material sandwiched between two of said members.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein said field generation includes the steps of providing a plurality of conductive members, an electrical potential source and commutator means selectively connecting the conductor members to the source so that an electric field then exists between the conductive members.

8. The method of claim 3 including the step of permanently affixing the dielectric coating to the conductive member.

9. The method of claim 3 including the step of providing the conductive member in the form ofa screentype mesh.

10. The method of claim 3 including the step of providing multiple porous members within the housing.

11. The method of claim wherein said generating step includes providing electrical connector means connecting adjacent porous members to opposite polarities of an electrical source.

12. The method of claim 10 including the step of permanently affixing the dielectric coating to the conductive member.

13. The method of claim 1 including the step of maintaining rigidity of the housing by providing compressive support means external to the housing.

14. The method of claim 13 including the steps of initially forming said housing to include a grooved upper housing member, a grooved lower housing member and an electrically non-conductive chamber insertible between the upper and lower housing members in the grooves therein, and providing sealing means associated with the grooves to form a liquid tight seal thereat.

15. The method of removing discrete particles from a fluid stream that includes the steps of:

a. passing the fluid stream with discrete particles suspended therein through a fluid pervious body in a unidirectional electric field maintained between a pair of electrodes;

b. charging the suspended particles by direct contact with one of said electrodes, the particles being brought into said contact by motion of the stream of fluid,

c. preliminarily coating the electrodes with a dielectric coating having a high resistivity to compensate for low resistivity of the fluid stream, and

d. maintaining a housing about said electrodes.

16. The method of removing electrically charged particles suspended in a dielectric fluid stream that includes the steps of:

a. flowing the stream along a longitudinal open passage totally bridged by said fluid and totally laterally enveloped by a dielectric porous member;

b. effecting travel laterally of said electrically charged particles outward toward said enveloping porous member;

c. entrapping the particles in the porous member defining the zone and maintained at a polarity opposite that of the charged particles, and

d. maintaining housed electrodes at opposite sides of the porous member and presenting toward said member electrode surface coating having a high dielectric value and electrical resistance.

17. The method of removing electrically charged particles suspended in a stream of a dielectric fluid in a porous region laterally bounded by spaced electrodes, that includes the steps of:

a. flowing the stream of fluid with particles suspended therein along a path within said porous region;

b. maintaining a high-intensity unidirectional electrostatic field across the fluid path between surfaces of the laterally spaced electrodes;

c. effecting a change in velocity of the fluid stream by controlling the net cross-sectional area of the porous region available to the fluid stream in said field wherein the suspended particles migrate toward a boundary of the region; and

d. receiving the migrating particles on stationary structure defining the porous region;

e. at least a portion of said surfaces being coated with material having a high dielectric value and electrical resistance,

f. and maintaining a housing about said electrodes.

* a i s 

1. THE METHOD OF REMOVING ELECTRICALLY CHARGED PARTICLES SUSPENDED IN A STREAM OF A DIELECTRIC FLUID IN A POROUS REGION LATERALLY BOUNDED BY SPACE AND HOUSED ELECTRODES, THAT INCLUDES THE STEPS OF: A. FLOWING THE STREAM OF FLUID WITH PARTICLES SUSPENDED THEREIN ALONG A PATH WITHIN SAID POROUS REGION; B. MAINTAINING A HIGH-INTENSITY UNIDIRECTIONAL ELECTROSTATIC FIELD ACROS THE FLUID PATH BETWEEN SURFACES OF THE LATERALLY SPACED ELECTODES; C. EFFECTING A CHANGE IN VELOCITY OF THE FLUID STREAM BY CONTROLLING THE NET CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF THE POROUS REGION
 2. The method of removing particles suspended in a fluid stream that includes the steps of: a. flowing the stream along a generally longitudinal path within an open laterally bounded zone totally bridged by said fluid stream, b. maintaining a high-intensity unidirectional charging field between surfaces on electrodes receiving electrical potential and directed generally radially in said zone and extending to a porous outer lateral boundary thereof, thereby to effect particle charging and flow outward toward said outer boundary, and c. receiving the charged particles at and within said porous boundary, d. at least a portion of said surfaces being coated with material having a high dielectric value and electrical resistance, and e. maintaining a Housing about said electrodes.
 3. In the method of separating solid particles from a relatively electrically insulating fluid carrier in which they are suspended, and wherein there is employed a housing having an imgress port and an egress port and a porous member within the housing comprising a high dielectric material coated on a conductive member, the steps that include a. flowing the suspension into the housing via the ingress port for movement therein, b. generating an electric field within the housing and electrostatically attracting the solid particles in the suspension to the coated porous member, and c. removing the carrier fluid from the housing via the egress port.
 4. The method of claim 3 including the step of positioning in the housing said porous member in the form of a plurality of spaced apart conductive screens.
 5. The method of claim 3 including the step of positioning in the housing said porous member in the form of porous dielectric materials sandwiched between spaced apart conductive members coated with dielectric material.
 6. The method of claim 5 including the step of providing in the housing a plurality of cells comprising dielectric material sandwiched between two of said members.
 7. The method of claim 3 wherein said field generation includes the steps of providing a plurality of conductive members, an electrical potential source and commutator means selectively connecting the conductor members to the source so that an electric field then exists between the conductive members.
 8. The method of claim 3 including the step of permanently affixing the dielectric coating to the conductive member.
 9. The method of claim 3 including the step of providing the conductive member in the form of a screen-type mesh.
 10. The method of claim 3 including the step of providing multiple porous members within the housing.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said generating step includes providing electrical connector means connecting adjacent porous members to opposite polarities of an electrical source.
 12. The method of claim 10 including the step of permanently affixing the dielectric coating to the conductive member.
 13. The method of claim 1 including the step of maintaining rigidity of the housing by providing compressive support means external to the housing.
 14. The method of claim 13 including the steps of initially forming said housing to include a grooved upper housing member, a grooved lower housing member and an electrically non-conductive chamber insertible between the upper and lower housing members in the grooves therein, and providing sealing means associated with the grooves to form a liquid tight seal thereat.
 15. The method of removing discrete particles from a fluid stream that includes the steps of: a. passing the fluid stream with discrete particles suspended therein through a fluid pervious body in a unidirectional electric field maintained between a pair of electrodes; b. charging the suspended particles by direct contact with one of said electrodes, the particles being brought into said contact by motion of the stream of fluid, c. preliminarily coating the electrodes with a dielectric coating having a high resistivity to compensate for low resistivity of the fluid stream, and d. maintaining a housing about said electrodes.
 16. The method of removing electrically charged particles suspended in a dielectric fluid stream that includes the steps of: a. flowing the stream along a longitudinal open passage totally bridged by said fluid and totally laterally enveloped by a dielectric porous member; b. effecting travel laterally of said electrically charged particles outward toward said enveloping porous member; c. entrapping the particles in the porous member defining the zone and maintained at a polarity opposite that of the charged particles, and d. maintaining housed electrodes at opposite sides of the porous member and presenting toward Said member electrode surface coating having a high dielectric value and electrical resistance.
 17. The method of removing electrically charged particles suspended in a stream of a dielectric fluid in a porous region laterally bounded by spaced electrodes, that includes the steps of: a. flowing the stream of fluid with particles suspended therein along a path within said porous region; b. maintaining a high-intensity unidirectional electrostatic field across the fluid path between surfaces of the laterally spaced electrodes; c. effecting a change in velocity of the fluid stream by controlling the net cross-sectional area of the porous region available to the fluid stream in said field wherein the suspended particles migrate toward a boundary of the region; and d. receiving the migrating particles on stationary structure defining the porous region; e. at least a portion of said surfaces being coated with material having a high dielectric value and electrical resistance, f. and maintaining a housing about said electrodes. 